Kristine Beth Whitley

Kristine Beth Whitley, 70, of Hillsboro, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 1:16 p.m., surrounded by her loving family at the Hillsboro Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and a service at 11:00 a.m. to follow at Bass Patton Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Illinois. Rev. Brian Robison, Pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Belleville, Illinois will officiate. A luncheon will be provided at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church after the service.  

Kris was born on July 23, 1954, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Herman and Janelle (Spath) Neunaber. She married the love of her life, Larry Whitley, on November 19, 1977, in Belleville, Illinois. Kris dedicated her career to education, serving as a respected math teacher at Hillsboro High School and Junior High until her retirement in 2010. Her unwavering commitment to her students and her passion for teaching left an indelible mark on the community.

A devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Kris found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She spent her free time gardening and quilting; and after retiring, she embraced the outdoors with Larry, often hunting, fishing, and foraging for mushrooms. Kris cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren, teaching them to ride bikes, taking them on trips to the public library, and softly singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ as they drifted off to sleep in her arms.

Kris was known for her kindness, selflessness, and boundless love for those around her. She touched the lives of everyone she met with her gentle spirit and generous heart. Her legacy of compassion and warmth will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Kris is survived by her beloved husband, Larry Whitley of Hillsboro, Illinois; her two children, Kristy (Bryan) Parr of Tolono, Illinois, and Aaron Whitley of New Holland, Illinois; her three grandchildren, Brady Parr, Larissa Parr, and Olivia Whitley; her sisters, Kathy (Rex) Rothgangel of Belleville, Illinois, and Kim Ott of Belleville, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Kris’s honor.

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